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Ecological Stoichiometry along a Gradient of Forest Succession: Bait Preferences of Litter Ants
Author(s) -
Bihn Jochen H.,
Verhaagh Manfred,
Brandl Roland
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
biotropica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1744-7429
pISSN - 0006-3606
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2008.00423.x
Subject(s) - ecological succession , litter , ecology , secondary forest , habitat , ecosystem , forest ecology , old growth forest , plant litter , foraging , secondary succession , biology
We examined bait preferences of litter ants along a successional gradient of forests in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The ants preferred protein‐based baits in secondary forests, yet preferred carbohydrate‐based baits in old‐growth forests. This suggests a shift in stoichiometric balances between secondary and old‐growth forest which might have an impact on the functional interactions in these ecosystems. Therefore, the ecological services offered by secondary habitats may be quite different from those offered by old‐growth forests.